The nurse is caring for a patient who has a bleeding gastric ulcer. How will the nurse expect the patient's stool to appear?
A) Soft and formed with bright red streaks
B) Watery with particles of undigested food
C) Sticky and black
D) Hard lumps that are difficult to pass

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bleeding anywhere along the GI tract results in blood in the stool. Bleeding that occurs in the upper GI tract produces stools that are black and tarry in appearance. Bleeding within the lower GI tract presents with soft stools that have bright red streaks. Watery stool with particles of food is indicative of gastroenteritis. Hard lumps that are difficult to pass indicate constipation, often from medications or lack of fiber in the diet.

The Nurse Is Caring for a Patient Who Has a Bleeding